Strive Notes

I was discussing the convention of going ‘off the record’ with a journo friend just this week. She said she found it to be a useful tool in building rapport with a source. I said that I tell clients, ‘If you don’t want it reported; don’t say it. You can’t ask a journalist not to do their job.’

Now the issue has surfaced again when Obama campaign advisor Samantha Power said it during an interview with Britain’s Gerri Peev of The Scotsman. She called Mrs Clinton a monster ‘off the record’ and was not best pleased when the statement became the focus of the story.

Asking for facts to be off the record is one thing; using it for her own opinion is quite another. Gerri Peev did her job and reported it. You have to respect that.
Imho, Power was indiscreet at best and sloppy at worst.

UPDATE 12 MARCH: Sally gives her view.

Filed under: public relations